Ryan: Must Change AHCA to Ease Impact on Older People

'We should have more assistance' for those in 50s and 60s

by John Gever John Gever,Managing Editor, MedPage Today
March 19, 2017

WASHINGTON -- In a tacit admission that older Americans could take a big financial hit from the Republican healthcare bill now making its way through Congress, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said on Sunday that he is seeking changes in the legislation.

"We believe we should have even more assistance -- and that's one of the things we're looking at -- for that person in their 50s and 60s because they experience higher healthcare costs," he said on the "Fox News Sunday" television program.

Ryan insisted that ultimately the Republican plan would cut premium costs for people in their 50s and 60s, but "we think we should be offering more assistance than what the bill currently does."

Last week, the Congressional Budget Office said the plan in its current form could raise premiums dramatically for older individuals not yet eligible for Medicare. Among the bill's provisions is an increase in so-called age banding, allowing older people to be charged up to five times the premiums for younger individuals; current law sets a 3:1 maximum on age banding.

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